Why are our casualties so high in Afghanistan?

[ToadBrother]

These people must also think western meddling in the affairs of other countries, the root cause of this confict, is a noble honourable thing to do. They should be deeply ashamed of themselves but instead they're proud.

Good grief, what a self-important blowhard you are.

At any rate, the folks largely recognized as the government of Afghanistan; the Northern Alliance, had been begging the West for years for aid.

[eyeball]

The Northern Alliance is no better than the Taliban.

[ToadBrother]

The Northern Alliance is no better than the Taliban.

Maybe not, but that is not the point. The Northern Alliance was recognized by most countries in the world as the legal government of Afghanistan. An argument can be made that NATO entered Afghanistan at the request of the lawful government of Afghanistan.

[capricorn]

IMO this idea that we're engaged in a just action is repulsive. We're engaged in imperialism and I have zero respect for anyone who says otherwise.

You're anti-war and a peacenik. Got it. May I suggest that we have moved on from your '60s mentality?

These people must also think western meddling in the affairs of other countries, the root cause of this confict, is a noble honourable thing to do. They should be deeply ashamed of themselves but instead they're proud.

Who are you to say what others should feel proud about? You think you have a monopoly on what is honourable? Think again.

I refuse to accept this division of opinion in the absence of a referendum, especially when this shameful action is being perpetrated in my name.

You are so badly done by. If I were you I'd stage a sit-in somewhere. Or are you content just to preach from your perch?

Perhaps they should stay in their barracks like our allies do so they don't get hurt.

To their credit, our soldiers don't take the easy way out. Just cause you're pissed at the allies, please don't denigrate the courage and selflessness of our troops.

I'd agree if we were talking about conscripts but in the case of volunteers for this travesty, I suggest they do some deep soul searching myself.

I thought the left was all about compassion and all were equal under the law. Seems there are two sets of citizens in your leftist mind. One set you support but the other you don't, based on the confines of your ideology. Quite the juggling act.

[Topaz]

There 's alot of reasons why our guys are getting killed. Lets look at their mental health, did any of you see the news clip of the our new military leader and McKay in Afg. this past Xmas? They didn't look all that content or at peace while the new leader gave them the annual Xmas pep talk. What you hear on the news and what we will hear from guys coming back will be so different. In my area, one guy that did make it back said he's done with the military life and he can't see how anyone is going to win this battle. I'm sure that some on these guys are getting depressed and there is drugs over there and alcohol, which they can't drink 8 hours before going on duty. How many of them have ended their life over there themselves. Someone said about leaving right now instead of 2011, the IF we got out there now, we could be saving 2-300 soldiers lives but I guess sticking to our word is more honourable than the 2-300 lives. The great percentage of Canadians don't think we should be there ansd the only reason we are there is the Libs took us there , Martin wanted us there for 1 year and Harper is KEEPING the troops there, and in 2011, our troops will still be in Afg. just doing something different, they won't be coming home. Of course, with the US taking 20-30000 out of Iraq and sending them to Afg by next June or July may change things.

[capricorn]

Lets look at their mental health, did any of you see the news clip of the our new military leader and McKay in Afg. this past Xmas? They didn't look all that content or at peace while the new leader gave them the annual Xmas pep talk.

From what I have read, soldiers are not too keen about having politicians visit them in a war zone. They just want politicians to stay out of their way as they work to get the job done. I think this is why they looked glum with McKay around. That is different from the trauma effect on soldiers while they're in the war zone and when they return home. Post traumatic stress on soldiers is well documented and should not be ignored.

What you hear on the news and what we will hear from guys coming back will be so different. In my area, one guy that did make it back said he's done with the military life and he can't see how anyone is going to win this battle. I'm sure that some on these guys are getting depressed and there is drugs over there and alcohol, which they can't drink 8 hours before going on duty.

This is nothing new Topaz and not limited to Afghanistan, although the use of drugs is more affiliated with modern conflicts. A similar situation existed during WWI and WWII as soldiers self medicated to escape the horrors of war and loneliness for loved ones back home. Heck, back then the military provided them all the alcohol (and tobacco) they wanted.

How many of them have ended their life over there themselves.

We may never know.

Someone said about leaving right now instead of 2011, the IF we got out there now, we could be saving 2-300 soldiers lives but I guess sticking to our word is more honourable than the 2-300 lives.

If we were to ask that question directly of soldiers, I would gladly accept their decision as to leaving now or staying the course. In the interim, I accept Parliament's decision.

Harper is KEEPING the troops there

Not so. There was a vote in Parliament and the result was we stay until 2011. Only the NDP and the Bloc were against extending the mission.

and in 2011, our troops will still be in Afg. just doing something different, they won't be coming home.

We don't know that for sure. A vote in the House of Commons will decide whether there is a non-military role for Canada after 2011.

Of course, with the US taking 20-30000 out of Iraq and sending them to Afg by next June or July may change things.

Hopefully, this will take a load off our overworked military. But it will not affect our scheduled 2011 pullout.

[Jerry J. Fortin]

While us arm chair quarterbacks are pondering the questions our soldiers are in harms way and are at risk. The events of 9/11 took us to the field, we are now there and fighting a war. There is only one way to win a war and that is to fight to win.

Exactly how that is done is not up to mere generals in the field but instead ultimately the politicians that send them into the field. The politicians can spend 3.5 billion to save some corporate profits and some jobs, but hey cost lives in the field of battle for want of equipment and munitions for our soldiers. That is the sad reality.

Maybe we can't win but we can't possibly know unless we try. We are not trying.

[eyeball]

I thought the left was all about compassion and all were equal under the law. Seems there are two sets of citizens in your leftist mind. One set you support but the other you don't, based on the confines of your ideology. Quite the juggling act.

I admit a certain fascinated nihilism does seem to be manifesting itself in me. I'm a little over fifty now and I wonder if I might be going through the transition from lefty to righty. Perhaps this life-altering process involves the release of certain neuro-transmitters or hormones because my heart and feelings do seem to have hardened and my mind and thoughts have grown colder and more calculating. Somedays I feel like crying and other days I feel like laughing and on other days I don't feel anything at all. Maybe there's a hormone treatment for this right/left change thingy or is that what religion is for?

I still have a hard time bringing myself to go after the Taleban the way humans went after the bugs in Starship Troopers, which is really the only practical way of acheiving the type of victory Jerry is after. OTOH I can accept that evolution is a messy business and that backward cultures should be allowed to naturally die out on their own, like it appears to be doing in Afghanistan.

See what I mean? I used to be a lot mushier about preserving multi-culturalism but now look at me.

Edited December 29, 2008 by eyeball

[Jerry J. Fortin]

I simply cannot understand a government that would put its troops in harms way and then not support them to the extent possible. Killing your own voters off doesn't make any sense to me.

The nation should cough up money for a lot more than just helicopters. In addition our strategy should be changed, not just the tactics.

Lets take this from the top shall we;

From our base in Khandahar , we should secure the base and work outward. The entire city needs to have ALL weapons removed from all citizens. Police and militia can go to their operations bases and pickup their weapons when they show up for work. Anyone seen with a weapon other than those authorized for the use of that weapon should be fired upon first, then captured if possible.

Police and militia need to be trained for local use. Judges and lawyers need to be trained for local work. Doctors and nurses need to be trained for local use. Teachers and utility workers need to be trained for local use. These things should have been done as soon as the location was secured. While that training was ongoing, the infrastructure should have been either repaired or created. Once all this was complete and only then, should military forces been moved outward to continue the process beyond the original base of operations. This was not the case.

[madmax]

Why is it our casualties in Afghanistan are so very high compared to everyone else? As a percentage of troops, our casualties are higher than the US, UK, or anyone in Afghanistan.

The question is about 7 years past its best before date. But at least your asking it.

This topic has been covered in many of the Afghanistan threads on Maple Leaf Web. Also many links have been provided as to why Canadians Soldiers are experiencing such high Casualty rates.

I just don't know how someone with your time and interest on Maple Leaf Web could have missed these discussions.

But don't worry, it is still higher then the attention given to our soldiers and the mission by our elected officials.

[wulf42]

Afghanistan is a dangerous place...the Russians tried for ten years to win a war there and they didn t play by the rules... they used massive firepower but these sniviling little Taliban cowards just go back in their holes and come up somewhere else.The only way to win is by using "unconventional means" but the public would never support it.